Bristol snake owner claims cat stalked python
A Bristol man whose 13ft snake ate a neighbour's cat claims the tabby must have been stalking his python.
Darren Bishop's 10-year-old Burmese python Squash swallowed four-year-old tabby Wilbur after the cat ventured into Mr Bishop's back garden in Upper Sandhurst Road, Brislington.
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Wilbur's owners, Martin and Helen Wadey, have since launched a campaign to change the law so that the snakes are officially classified as dangerous animals, with owners required to hold a licence.
Their petition on the 10 Downing Street website has already attracted 3,500 signatures, after the Bristol Evening Post's story about the incident made headlines as far away as New Zealand.
But speaking to the Post yesterday, Squash's owner said that although he is sympathetic to his neighbours' loss, he believes Squash could not have hunted Wilbur and that the cat must have made the first move.
He says he is a responsible owner, although he conceded that the snake had once given him the slip and escaped to a neighbour's coal shed.
Mr Bishop has owned the 80kg snake since it was around six weeks old and six inches long. The 35-year-old excavator driver bought it for around £100, and keeps it in an enclosure indoors.
He says he only lets it into the back garden when it is sunny, and then he keeps a close eye on the python, usually checking on it every 10 minutes.
Mr Bishop said: "I've always had a fascination with them – they are unique creatures.
"I've always been a dog owner but it's not fair to leave a dog at home all day. Snakes can be left at home.
"I've had her 10 years and we've lived here for eight years.
"She only got out once, five years ago.
"We never used to lock the back door and she managed to get out into the neighbourhood, so we printed up some fliers and handed them out.
"We had a lot of phone calls asking if it was a joke. We rang the RSPCA and the police, then two days later a neighbour said he had found her in his coal shed."
Mr Bishop said since then he has locked the back gate and put Squash in a more secure tank.
Speaking about the incident involving Wilbur on June 25, he said: "Squash met this cat; he (Mr Wadey) is saying she may have been actively hunting her but a python can't actively hunt.
"Cats sit up on the wall. There's no way she can stalk a cat, they always know she's there.
"I've seen cats stalking her, I've had to throw stones to stop them having a go.
"All they can see is her head and they are not sure if they can kill her or not.
"Normally they think better of it. I know what cat it is, if I go 'psst', they usually go away."
Mr Bishop said Squash came back into the house as the sun went down and he noticed a bulge in her stomach, and spoke to Mr Wadey the next afternoon.
Mr Bishop said: "I had to tell him that my snake's eaten his cat. He said I didn't apologise, but I did.
"I offered him a cup of tea, he had a look around for 20 to 25 minutes, and I answered any questions. He has a right to know – I decided to co-operate.
"He asked if a friend from the RSPCA could scan the snake, I said OK, then when he left he said something about the police."
Mr Bishop said once the police had been mentioned he wanted legal advice before co-operating any further.
The RSPCA came round the next day but instead of letting them in, Mr Bishop scanned the snake himself and told them there was a micro-chipped animal inside, shortly after the incident.
"I understand he's upset, anybody would be, but he's treated it like someone's killed his child.
"At the end of the day it's not a child, it's a cat.
"Legislation is there to protect humans. Pitbulls aren't dangerous animals because they eat cats, it's because they've mauled humans.
"Cats are killers as well but they don't keep them in 24 hours a day."
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by Richard, Guildford
Monday, August 24 2009, 3:36PM
“What do I do? I can tell you something I dont, keep a sodding great big snake in a tiny garden and say that is normal. Have you ever thought the snake might deserve better? Well done for your job and sorry I assumed you would be some bum. Darren let me give you a bit of advise - send the snake home... go and say sorry to your neighbour, also it might be worth getting a " human " friend.”
by Laura, Bristol
Monday, August 24 2009, 10:30AM
“S from bristol you are just sick. You only care about yourself. You are inconsiderate. Infact why dont you just move in with Darren! You are so alike. I cant even begin to say what you both deserve.!! Sad little chavvy lives! There is nothing nice about snakes. They are just like their owners. No affection, no consideration and are only out to hurt. If you had a python and some animal crushed it and ate it Im sure you would be angry and upset. Yoiu wouldnt like people saying "its only a snake" would you. You need to grow up although I dont think thats possible for you. Imagine if a big snake crushed you and ate you and people were saying "its only a human" (although I dont think you are!!) I can understand totally why the cat owners are upset. You are a typical cat hating heartless man of many! Its dumb to say people are silly for saying it could be a child next. Its nothing but the truth! Children may not roam gardens but Darren will probably still let kids in his house, that is what people are meaning! Go on laugh! Darren was in the house when the ordeal happened and theres no doubt he heard it happen but did nothing about it! Snakes should be kept indoors. Every normal human knows they are dangerous! Doh!”
by s, bristol
Sunday, August 23 2009, 12:44AM
“I think everyone should get a snake :D would certainly solve the over population of cats.”
by Darren, bristol
Saturday, August 22 2009, 3:33PM
“Richard, you are a complete idiot! This is why your well structured, intelligent, sharp, unique, insightfull and focused viewpoint, has resulted in you calling me names. Well done!
I would really love to hear why Groundwork and Civil Engineering is not considered as "proper" by you? The disciplines within these fields include the Infrastructure and Utilities that everyone (including you) relies upon to live our lives. I can take technical drawings created by Architects and Consultant Engineers and make them a reality. Examples of my work are displayed at such prestigious projects as the £750Million Cabot Circus shopping centre. When the children at Rednock School in Dursley look out of the window, they will see a 75 metre long contemporary and Architectural Surface Water extraction and attenuation system created by my self.
What do you do?”
by Kath, Bristol
Wednesday, August 19 2009, 9:53PM
“Having heard Mr Bishop on radio 2 today, I didn't think he sounded particularly remorseful. Infact he seemed to find it quite amusing that Mr Wadey was so upset about a mere cat. Many of the caat haters who have commented seem to think wilbur got what he deserved for trespassing. But surely the punishment for this petty crime shouldn't be death.”
by Richard, Guildford
Wednesday, August 19 2009, 1:14PM
“Darren, you are a complete prat. On BBC 2 you sounded a bit slow to be honest, like somebody who shoudl not own a snake. Grow up, get a job ( proper one ) and get some "human" friends.”
by darren, bristol
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 5:16PM
“Xavier, I find it incredible that a person who claims he would jump into my garden with a knife to attack my pet, an extremely violent act, would have the neck to complain and call me violent, when I stated that I would deal with you. I have the right, under law, to defend myself and my property with reasonable force and it would be you arrested for threatening violence, so get that straight in your twisted little mind. If you still don¿t get it, I suggest you take both statements to the police and ask them which statement they would class as the most threatening.
You state I know damn well she could easily escape. Well, you¿re wrong again. You are very selective when it comes to which statements you like to remember and quote. Yes, she can physically escape. BUT, NO SHE IS NOT GIVEN THE CHANCE!
My way of ensuring she doesn¿t get out of my garden, Is my knowledge of her behaviour and experience of her speed. My method has not failed in the many years this has been happening. Now, I¿m supposed to change that, because you say so based on a very limited understanding of what you are talking about?
Nice try by the way. Your tact changed when I (and my personality) came on? Well I posted after your first one, it then took you 3 more posts to ¿change that¿! You even have to lie in that comment, ¿the point people seem to be making, myself included¿ Actually, you had not been making that point until then! YOU JUST CAN¿T HELP YOUR SELF!!
You said I know that she could easily kill a 3-4yr child. I said, I have never stated that. Therefore, pointing out that you were making an assumption on what I know. I DO NOT AGREE WITH YOUR ASSUMPTION. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU CLAIM I KNOW. Still struggling to understand?
Also to logic man, limited knowledge=limited logic.
Because you are far too thick to work this one out for your self, I will now explain why she will not be put in a run or cage. The cats in the area will still keep coming and trying to sneak up on her, she will not understand there is a barrier between them and strike at full force against that barrier, causing serious injuries to my snake, and there are plenty of examples of the damage this causes. A friend of mine who lives a street away has an Avery full of Parrots, the cats in the area constantly tease them, to the point where he say¿s he ¿s going to just let some of the big ones at the cats one day. If you think I¿m going to put my snake in that position because you say I should, when my way of keeping my snake in my garden has NEVER failed, you¿re wrong.
And to top it all off, you actually believe a wood and chicken wire ¿run¿ would be able to hold her! Even if it was pinned to the ground she would still lift it. Anybody who had kept a snake would be able to figure these things out. So, you¿ve been caught out lying AGAIN!!
If I¿m arrogant for believing I¿m right, with the whole weight of evidence and facts to back this up, being in agreement with the law and the police and have never been shown to be wrong. What does that make someone who despite the evidence, despite the facts, despite having to cherry pick statements, despite being caught lying and despite a serious lack of knowledge and experience still claims that they are right and I have to do as they demand?
Who are these snake experts you talk of? I don¿t remember anyone claiming to be experts. And, if they had, but displayed the same kind of knowledge as some of the faux ¿snake owners¿ then I would not believe them.
I¿ve been watching your behaviour on these comments pages and I didn¿t know before now, that there are little men like you hanging around the forums and just waiting for a victim to come along that disagrees with them. You really are a despicable, disgusting and anti-social little chav, who hides behind his computer waiting to pounce. If you spoke to a woman in the street, the same way do on here a lot, some bloke passing by would drop you, if the woman didn”
by Whiskey, Essex
Monday, August 17 2009, 10:14AM
“Awwww- bad luck Wilbur!
I'm sure my dog would kill a cat if he could, he just can't catch the damn things! Still, i'm not going to stop him having the run of the garden and i don't think Darren should have to keep his snake inside :)
As to a child being next- why does everyone move on to this? It's not like we put the children out at night at the same time as the cat- i personally never see free roaming children wandering through my garden, is this a unique experience? Besides what with the childhood obesity epidemic i'm sure that the average ankle biter would be far to fat for poor Sqaush to squash!
xxx
ps i actually quite like cats- i volunteer for an animal sanctuary (believe it or not)”
by Xavier, Bristol
Sunday, August 16 2009, 11:53AM
“Doubt it, man of logic.”
by Logicman, Planet Logic, Somewhere in Brizzle
Sunday, August 16 2009, 11:45AM
“Darren likes snake outdoors
Plus
Snake can kill neighbours animals
Plus
Snake could quickly and easily escape
Plus
Snake could kill a young child quickly or snake could get hurt and die.
Equals Problem.
HMMMM
Solution sorted with about a nano-second of thought
DARREN GETS HIS BUTT DOWN B&Q, GETS SOME LENGTHS OF TIMBER AND CHICKEN WIRE AND BUILDS AN ENCLOSURE
equals
Good neighbourly relations, no needless deaths of neighbours pets, no risk of snake getting out and getting injured/getting accidentally killed and no risk of it killing a neighbours child.
This solution will mean Darren is happy, squash is safe and happy, cats are safe and happy and children can play safely in the vicinity and are safe and happy.
Win/Win.
Question is is Darren logical and more importantly can he be bothered to do the simple and right thing? Darren- over to you.....”